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The world's largest retailers continue to add automation. Walmart Inc. today announced that it has signed a multi-year agreement with Fox Robotics Inc. In addition to launching its first fleet of 19 FoxBot autonomous forklifts, Walmart invested growth capital in a minority stake in Fox Robotics.
“At Walmart Distribution Center 6020 in Brooksville, Florida, we are no strangers to pioneering new technologies,” Maurice Gray, general manager of Walmart Distribution Centers, wrote in a blog post. “In fact, 6020 was Walmart’s first high-tech DC. Once again, innovation is underway at our facility. Our employees have been working with our new autonomous forklift system to enhance their skills and improve jobs while building our business.”
“After 16 months of proof of concept, we’re proud to announce that Walmart has taken another step toward the future. We operate a fleet of 19 autonomous forklifts across four high-tech DCs and have the potential for more as we evaluate the benefits to our workforce and employees. “Operation,” he said. “Our facility has learned a lot from working with autonomous forklift developer Fox Robotics. But it can be easily summarized. “Automation isn’t just good for business; it’s also good for employees.”
Bentonville, Arkansas-based Walmart is the largest private employer in the United States, according to Statista. The company has been working with other robotics suppliers and in 2022 acquired grocery fulfillment provider Alert Innovation.
Walmart deploys FoxBots to unload pallets.
Once the trucks arrive at the Brooksville distribution center, Fox Robotics' autonomous trailer loader/unloader (ATL) uses artificial intelligence, machine vision and dynamic planning to safely and accurately unload the pallets, Gray said. Forklifts then move the pallets into the Automated Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS).
Gray likened the evolving role of warehouse workers to a game of Tetris. “Instead of manually unloading pallets, our employees become conductors and use their experience to consider the most efficient and effective way to unload the trailer,” he said.
For example, Jose Molina, a 26-year employee, received training on how to transition from unloading trucks to managing autonomous lifts and tripling productivity, Gray added.
Walmart said it may release more systems from Fox Robotics pending continued performance of the FoxBots.
Fox Robotics is ahead of the dock robot race
“As a leader in autonomous trailer loading and unloading, Fox Robotics is pleased to deepen our relationship with Walmart as a major customer and investor,” said Marin Tchakarov, President and CEO of Fox Robotics. “We see this collaboration as the latest large-scale validation point for our technology and product capabilities, solidifying our leadership position in the warehouse shipping and receiving dock automation space.”
In January, Fox Robotics said its autonomous forklifts had autonomously pulled 2.5 million pallets. The company, which was founded in 2017, said at the time that its installed fleet had doubled in the past 12 months and sales were expected to nearly triple between 2022 and 2023.
Austin, Texas-based Fox Robotics has raised $20 million in 2022, with financial backing from BMW i Ventures and Zebra Technologies Corp. Customers include DHL Supply Chain.
“With the FoxBot autonomous loader/unloader capability, Fox Robotics has opened the final stage of the fully end-to-end automated warehouse of the future,” added Till Reuter, Fox Robotics board member and former CEO of Kuka Robotics. “The logistics space is the single largest market for automation over the next five to 10 years, and shipping and receiving docks, the gateway to warehouses, will see a disproportionate share of this growth due to their current state of not being fully automated in nature. “
Other companies working to automate loading dock operations include Boston Dynamics, Dexterity, Gideon, Honeywell, Mujin, Pickle Robots, and 2024 RBR50 Robotics Innovation Award winner Slip Robotics. Meet the RBR50 winners at the RBR50 Exhibit Hall and the RBR50 Gala at Robotics Summit & Expo.
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